UCSD snags climate award

University of California San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, who made environmentalism a top goal when she joined the university.

University of California San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, who made environmentalism a top goal when she joined the university. (John Gastaldo)

University of California San Diego officials won a national award for their ambitious plan to cut carbon emissions, trim water use and reduce waste during the next 10-15 years.

The university received the climate-leadership award last week at an annual summit held by the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment, a group of higher-education presidents and chancellors who have pledged to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

“As a campus, we’re moving from energy conservation to energy independence and we think this Climate Leadership Award is another affirmation that our campus is a sustainability model for the world," UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox said.

News of the climate award came before Fox, a distinguished organic chemist, won the National Medal of Science. That honor was announced Friday.

The climate award highlights UCSD's push to be "climate neutral" by 2025. The goal is for the campus to have no net greenhouse gas emissions by reducing its carbon footprint or offsetting emissions with planting trees or other actions.

The university's plan also entails reducing water use by 4 percent and being a "zero-waste" campus by 2020.

Earlier this year, UCSD was named one of the seven greenest campuses in the U.S. by Greenopia, a company that rates the eco-friendliness of businesses and organizations. Also this year, the university received an award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its environmentally friendly heat and power plant.